Eaton Rapids man who critically beat mother sentenced to 7-20 years in prison

Jul. 28, 2014

Christian Griffin

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CHARLOTTE — A 20-year-old Eaton Rapids man who beat his mother so severely she now requires constant care was sentenced Monday to 7 to 20 years in prison.

Christian Caine Griffin’s mother doesn’t know he was the person who beat her until she was unconscious, Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd said at a sentence hearing in the county’s circuit court.

Griffin’s mother — who suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma after the Dec. 8, 2013 incident — no longer can retain short-term memories, Lloyd said. She was 51 at the time.

She is now living at her brother’s home in Tennessee. Her brother cares for her around the clock, Lloyd said.

“She can’t remember things, and she will never be able to take care of herself again,” he said. “Her prognosis for life is short.”

Griffin pleaded guilty last month before Circuit Judge Jeff Sauter to domestic violence and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

Griffin’s then-girlfriend told police an altercation began around 2 a.m. when Griffin returned home, apparently intoxicated, and assaulted her.

When Griffin’s mother entered the bedroom, he attacked her, punching and kicking her until she was unconscious, prosecutors said. Griffin continued kicking and stomping on her after she was on the floor, prosecutors said.

Police were not called to the home until about 12 hours later.

Griffin declined speak in court and appeared to fight back tears. His attorney, Matt Newburg, read from a handwritten statement.

In the statement, Griffin apologized for his actions and said his “biggest wish is that my mother recover 100 percent from all trauma that occurred that night.” He also said he hoped “when all this is said and done, we can be a family again.”

Sauter did not place much stock in his statements.

“There is no way to consider the severe — almost sickening amount of violence — that you inflicted on your mother and think (she) meant anything to you,” Sauter said. “Your awareness of your mother’s value is belated.”